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FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- State Rep. Brenda Kupchick (R-Fairfield) is working to push through two bills that would increase health insurance coverage for long-term addiction and mental illness treatment.

“Since the tragedy in Newtown and most recently with growing opioid addiction crisis, I've had the chance to meet with families in Fairfield and around the state that face serious challenges finding treatment covered by insurance for their family members who suffer from mental illness or addiction,” said Kupchick.

“Mental health should be covered exactly the same as physical health. If you have serious physical disease, you're treated until you're in remission or cured, if you suffer from mental illness or an opiate addiction, many times people are only covered for short-term treatment instead of proven long-term treatment that gives individuals a chance of recovery."

The bill, HB-5441, An Act Requiring Health Insurance Coverage for Long-Term Addiction Treatment will go to a public hearing in a few weeks.

Bill HB-5440, An Act Expanding Health Insurance Coverage for the Treatment of Mental or Nervous Conditions seeks to expand health insurance coverage to treat mental or nervous conditions by requiring health insurance coverage for those with these conditions.